The Liberation of Gabriel King

by K.L. Going

Book Overview

In Georgia during the summer of 1976, Gabriel, a white boy who is being bullied, and Frita, an African American girl who is facing prejudice, decide to overcome their many fears together as they enter... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142407666
• ISBN13: 9780142407660
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.2" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Sweet summer story

Gabriel and Frita have pinky promised each other to make a list of fears and then work through them together. Gabriel is afraid of more things than Frida. The one fear that sparks the promise is moving on to fifth grade. The book is set in 1976 and deals with racism, the election, as well as the main conflict of Gabriel's fears. A sweet little story about two best friends going on little adventures together over the summer. Frida is a sweetheart and I rooted for Gabriel the entire time. One caveat: Spoilers!!! the rally ending is a bit rushed. We're only given 23 pages from the idea of having the rally to the end of the novel. As an adult reader, I adore a courageous ending of fighting off racism with friendship and love, but I know it doesn't work like that. I wish Going had explored it just a little bit more.

My 10 year old son loves this book

I bought this book for Christmas for my 10 year old (4th grade). He will read a chapter and then come find me and read it to me all over again because he thinks it is so funny. He has to read 1/2 hour everyday for school requirements and he will continue to read this book for over an hour. Gets him away from the computer and GameCube games. Hurray.

Among our most favorites

I read this to my 7 and 9 year old boys. We couldn't put it down. It now ranks among our favorites with Tale of Desperaux and Ida B. A true treasure of a book.

The Liberation of Gabriel King

I loved reading this book. I read all the time and have lots of favorites, now the Liberation of Gabriel King will join them. I had to read a book for 5th grade that was set in the same time period and covered the same topics but it was definately not as interesting. I'm going to tell my teacher she should have her class read this book instead. The characters determination and perseverance was amazing. It was funny reading about the ways Frita conquered Gabriel's fears. I liked it so much I read it in one sitting. I highly recomend this book to anyone 9-13. I think adults would even enjoy it.

A summer must-read, for ALL ages!

KL Going does it again - a spectacular book geared for kids, but appeals to all ages. Going addresses difficult issues in ways that kids can understand without oversimplifying. I was moved to tears and laughter both times that I read Liberation. I look forward to seeing what comes next from Going's pen ...

A book for all ages

Although this book is targeted at young people in the 10-14 age bracket, I enjoyed it very much as an adult. I purchased it for my grandson and he has called me up to tell me "what happened next" two nights in a row. Engaging characters and an important life lessons are neatly woven into an adventure tale of two young people in a little town over a hot summer. If you buy it for your children or grandchildren, read it first. You'll enjoy it.